Orn Huntington

Orn Huntington was born in Columbus, Ohio in May, 1919. He was the youngest of five children with two sisters and two brothers. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army, and served for 12 months before coming out as gay and being honorable discharged. Huntington moved to Hollywood, California where he spent 10 years acting in such movies as "The Harvey's Girls," "A Walk in the Sun," and as an extra in numerous war movies. In 1952 he returned to Columbus and worked in local theatre, radio, and TV. Eventually Huntington became a bank examiner for the State of Ohio, and remained there for 25 years.
In 1954, with the encouragement of friends, Huntington started a Halloween costume party that became the Berwick Ball. At this time, any gay party known to the police would be raided. So they held the first party at the American Legion Hall on north High Street. Tickets were $2 but didn't give the location of the party. Instead there was a phone number. The night of the party, attendees would call and learn where the party was being held. With the support of the Susi family later balls were held at the Berwick House, now called The Berwick Banquet & Catering.
In his interview Huntington talks about growing up in Columbus, his military service, and working in Hollywood. He discusses the gay social scene in Columbus, the discrimination by police, and starting the Berwick Ball. Huntington describes how he met David Zimmer (aka Dolly Divine), the Rathbone Ranch, and how secrecy molded gay life.
Ohio Memory: ohiomemory.org...